Stage 1 Endurrun - now ancient history!

My idea of a daily update for friends and family has gone by the wayside obviously. But I'd still like to let you know about the stages since this event has truly been a positive one for me. Each day has been a First for me, so let me tell you about them.
Stage 1 was a half marathon that started and ended at RIM park. A good location as it is on the outskirts of Waterloo and near very beautiful agricultral landscapes. I arrived early for the 8am race. I had never run a half before so I didn't know what I'd do, not would I know what pace to set. There was a large number of people who were coming for the 5 and 8km runs but we started a little earlier than them, so it was a small starting line of just 10 or 12 runners. I didn't feel tired from the 5 Peaks run and my ankle was feeling okay for a flat road run. I didn't know any of the runners so when we started off I thought I'd just stick with two guys who started off quickly. Another runner took off at a cosmic pace and the last I saw of him was dust after about 200m! As it turns out, i was just behind Brad and Bob. Brad is from Victoria BC, Bob from Rhode Island, USA. At the 1km marker i looked at my split and saw 3:55. I didn't even know I could run a km in 3:55, let along 20 more! I laughed at myself inside and figured that "I'll just let those guys go on ahead without me". So I quickly slowed down to a very fast pace for me and saw B&B take off too. Through Conestogo was pretty, and I suppose the Mennonites were on their way to church in their horse and buggies. After turning south in the village I went past the 5km marker at 20:43 min:sec and decided that this pace was way too fast for me. I did slow a bit, but still tried to go somewhat hard - who cares if I have 6 more big runs ahead of me this week! I was joined and passed by two other guys, one turned out to be Jeff who was running well and knew exactly what time he wanted to finish in - 1:29. Gosh, if i could stick with them, I'd be thrilled. Well, our rapidly growing separation at 7km suggested to me I wouldn't be doing 1:30. The course went by the Conestoga river and a golf course which was very pretty. The paved trail was nice. I passed 10km at 42:31, this is a 20 year PB for me! [I did a 38 somthing when i was a young'un]. A few little hills when we gained the road again. The second loop was started after passing RIM park. Lloyd and several volunteers along the way were very supportive and cheered us on. At this point they only knew my name and bib number [42] but their enthusiasm was warm. The second loop was slightly shorter than the first. Quite quickly the kms were disappearing and at 19km I was at 1:23:05 [4:45 km] and kept up the pace to finish at 1:32:29. Now I have a PB for a half marathon!
Back inside the RIM park arena building, I was treated to an excellent selection of food that Julie [Lloyd's friendly wife], an excellent massage by Mark. I had only had my first massage and ART treatments during the past 3 weeks while I was getting my quads and patella tendon fixed up. The treatment was excellent and I was amazed at how Mark found the problems in my muscles and worked them out. Afterwards I sat down and ate/visited with Katrina how finished just behind me and a couple of guys who ran the 5km [in 17 minutes]. I had a nice relaxing time and was very impressed with the organization of the race, the quality and care of the volunteers, and the therapy afterwards. I was convinced that the therapy would help very much for the next days' events. If only I had done this care after the Massey Marathon the month before, I wouldn't have had such super tight quads and sore legs afterwards [and no sore knee tendon!!!]. Now i know better. So, next stage is a 15km road/trail run that is a time trial.